By Allyson Dix
For Glasgow News 1
Around 100 people gathered in Temple Hill on Tuesday evening for the first in a series of town hall meetings expected to discuss zoning in Barren County. The meeting was to allow people to voice concerns, share suggestions, and ask questions about countywide zoning.
Discussions on zoning have been pushed to the forefront following the revelation of a proposed hyperscale data center in Cave City this past May, which dominated much of the discussion.
Historically, opposition to countywide zoning has been common in Barren County.
In May 2025, when solar farm regulations were being discussed, a majority of attendees did not support county zoning in a hand count when asked by officials. With the emergence of uncertainties about data centers, more appear to be reconsidering it.
A panel of county officials sat in front of a podium where citizens were given two minutes to speak. The officials included Kevin Myatt, Director of the Joint City-County Planning Commission, County Attorney Mike Richardson, County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd and Deputy Judge-Executive Garland Gilliam. Four of seven magistrates were present: Derek Pedigo, Ronnie Stinson, Marty Kinslow, and Tim Durham, who represents the third magisterial district where the meeting was held.
Myatt noted at the beginning of the meeting that, should the county choose to adopt zoning, there are protections for agricultural use and operations. Under the Right to Farm Act, agricultural practices are protected from zoning restrictions regardless of how a parcel is zoned, such as crop production, forage, fruit, livestock, bees, and similar agricultural activities. He also said property value assessments are not based on zoning classifications as they are assessed on other classifications specific to the PVA office.
Planning Director Kevin Myatt answers a question during the first Barren County planning and zoning town hall meeting in the gym of Temple Hill Elementary July 14, 2026. Auggie Brown/Glasgow News 1
“[Zoning] will protect you and give you a voice for property that surrounds you,” Myatt said, explaining that if something is being considered around your property, zoning gives individuals the ability to voice support or concerns under oath for the commission to consider in an official hearing.
“This is a countywide issue,” Byrd said. “This is not going to affect just Temple Hill. This is going to affect the entire county.” She also noted the meeting would be an official public record, including comments made by citizens.
Approximately 20 residents from across Barren County spoke before officials opened a question-and-answer session. Most speakers focused on concerns surrounding the proposed data center.
The county attorney has maintained that there are no Kentucky laws that give them the authority to enact a moratorium on data centers and it could be challenged in court.
“Legal advice unfortunately does not change with public opinion,” Richardson said. “My opinion has always been that a moratorium is not going to be legal.” He emphasized that zoning gives residents an avenue to be heard, but that the judicial process is not currently in place.
Barren County Attorney Mike Richardson answers questions during the first Barren County planning and zoning town hall meeting in the gym of Temple Hill Elementary July 14, 2026. Auggie Brown/Glasgow News 1
Remarks about potential increased utility bills, decreased property values, and potential environmental impacts were raised by many of those who spoke about data centers, while some spoke about the benefits of zoning.
Brian Boon, a soil conservationist with a passion of preserving land, said he hopes to see some regulations added for new development so the best decisions possible can be made.
“Development, I think, has to happen,” Boon said. “It’s just a part of who we are as a community. I think control over that is what I want to see. I want to see certain areas are off limits for certain things… . I hope that we improve as a county to have information to make the best informed decisions that we can.”
Robin Lively, who officially requested county officials to impose a moratorium on data centers in June, said data centers will have negative effects on everyone.
“It’s going to affect us all,” she said, adding that other communities with data centers have seen increased utility bills.
Edie Bell, who opposes data center development in Barren County, shared grievances about what she believes to be a lack of representation for constituents.
“Do we have faith in you? You guys can answer that,” Bell said. “Are they really going to represent us? Were they honest with us this last election?”
“We lost all faith.”
Eddie Atnip speaks at the first Barren County planning and zoning town hall meeting in the gym of Temple Hill Elementary July 14, 2026. Auggie Brown/Glasgow News 1
Sheila Hatcher, a resident of Cave City, said she had collected 871 signatures calling on county officials to take action regarding the proposed data center development.
“We are home to Mammoth Cave…and one of the seven wonders of the world,” Hatcher said. “We feel great pride in our town.”
Brandi Button posed questions relating to actions taken by neighboring counties versus Barren County when it comes to the 1.2 gigawatt data center development proposed in Cave City.
“How can anyone exercise sound judgment when so many questions remain unanswered?” Button asked.
“We are told Barren County’s hands are tied, yet neighboring counties found legal ways to exercise caution. If they found legal authority to exercise caution, what makes Barren County different?”
Button said what enters the ground here travels through the Mammoth Cave system and enters Green River, a system that she said should be protected.
“Our identity wasn’t inherited by accident. It was shaped by generations who understood this landscape isn’t just where we live.”
Bob Snee spoke on how zoning will give a voice to surrounding property owners when new development occurs.
Mitchell Bunnell speaks at the first Barren County planning and zoning town hall meeting in the gym of Temple Hill Elementary July 14, 2026. Auggie Brown/Glasgow News 1
“If I own land and somebody comes in next to me and wants to put in a lumber mill, right now, I have no power against that,” Snee explained. “But if there is zoning, then you’re going to have the ability to at least voice your opinion.”
He encouraged constituents to speak directly with their magistrates about zoning if there are concerns.
“It’s been great that we haven’t needed it at this point, but there’s no way we can go back,” Snee said, noting that the ongoing growth will continue to present challenges in the county.
After the meeting, Magistrate Durham said he was getting “very little” feedback from constituents in his district, but hopes the county can find a “happy medium” on the topic of zoning and development.
“You can create a situation that works best for everybody, through the magistrates and the court, we could put a happy medium on there for everybody,” Durham said, adding that he is attending weekly training sessions to learn as much as he can about data centers.
Trent Riddle, a former Barren County magistrate, spoke during the meeting about his experience with zoning during his tenure.
Riddle told Glasgow News 1 after the meeting that despite attempts for discussion, “it just never took off.”
“For several years there, I tried to get some conversation going about planning and zoning, and nobody would ever talk about it,” Riddle said. “In those days, anyone you spoke to about zoning in the county was considered government overreach. Now, everybody’s mad at the fact that something has been slid in and they’re all mad at the wrong people to start with.”
At the time, hyperscale data centers were not on the radar, Riddle said; however, he believed new industry would benefit by being centralized with some control on the growth.
Officials are encouraging residents to be involved in learning and discussing zoning. The next meeting is scheduled for July 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Austin Tracy Elementary School.
For those unable to attend, a box has been stationed at the county judge-executive’s office on the third floor of 117 North Public Square in Glasgow. Residents can drop off letters of support or concerns regarding zoning in the county.
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